News / News Bulletin

Zimbabwe President Mugabe fires Vice President Mnangagwa

Tuesday, 07 November 2017 1:58 AM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 07 November 2017 2:00 AM ]

Zimbabwe President Mugabe

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe on Monday fired his deputy, vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa, citing disloyalty and failure to discharge his duties in a reliable manner, said the Zimbabwean minister of Media, Information and Broadcasting Services, adding that the dismissal was with immediate effect.

This file photo taken on January 07, 2017 shows Zimbabwe acting President Emmerson Mnangagwaand his wife Auxilia attending the funeral ceremony of Peter Chanetsa at the National Heroes Acre in Harare.

Simmon Khaya-Moyo, Minister of Media, Information and Broadcasting Services, made the remarks at a press briefing in the capital city of Harare on the behalf of President Mugabe.

Khaya-Moyo said that Emmerson Mnangagwa became inconsistent with his responsibilities as a vice president, became disloyal and disrespectful, among other charges. Therefore, Khaya-Moyo announced on the behalf of President Mugabe, that in accordance with the constitution, the president has exercised his power to relieve Emmerson Mnanagawa of his position as vice president of the country.

"It had become evident that his conduct in the discharge of his duties had become inconsistent with his official responsibilities. The vice president has consistently and persistently exhibited traits of disloyalty, disrespect, deceitfulness and unreliability. He has also demonstrated little probity in the execution of his duties," said Khaya-Moyo.

Emmerson Mnangagwa, 75, was widely speculated to be Mugabe’s possible successor. He served as the government minister of Rural Housing and Social Amenities and speaker of the House of Assembly.

Mnangagwa was appointed as vice president in December, 2014 after former vice president Joice Mujuru was dismissed on allegations of fanning factionalism and trying to topple the president.

President Mugabe did not immediately announce the next successor to the vice president in his decision, but some analysts believe that in the near future, he is likely to nominate his wife Grace Mugabe for the position.

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